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Fundraising for a large non-profit organization can be overwhelming. It is a lot of work, but if you take it one step at a time you can get everything you need to done in a timely manner without too much stress. If you are new to fundraising for a non-profit use these six steps as a guideline to help you get started on the right foot.
1. Develop your fundraising goals:How much money do you need to raise? What will
you use the money for? Do you need it for a new facility or new programs or to pay off
any debt?
2. Write down your fundraising plan. You should have a plan for each goal you have. Writing it down will keep you organized. Just because it is written down, doesn’t mean it is permanent! Make room for revisions and changes as they are sure to happen.
3. Estimate how much your fundraising plan will cost. Be sure to account for all the details from managing your volunteers all the way down to your postage fees for the mailings.
4. Develop a timeline for your plan. Don’t allow yourself to procrastinate! Start planning early and make sure every task is scheduled to be finished plenty before necessary to prepare for any surprises.
5. Identify funding sources. Can you produce more income through certain sources? Are you tapping all available audiences? Have you received foundation grants?
6. Evaluate your fundraising plan throughout the year. Develop a criteria by which you can evaluate your fundraising efforts such as amount raised, number of new donors, or contact with certain foundations. Finding mistakes will only help you improve!
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